String fastening device for musical instruments



June 17, 1930. F. J. CALLIER 1$764,543

STRING FASTENING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed May 12, 1928-Fig.1.

2 RM 0/. L mm W1 "A.

, ATTORNEY.

Patented June 17, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FRANK J. CALLIER, OF SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS STRING-FASTENING DEVICE FOR IVIUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Applicationfiled May 12, 1928.

This invention relates to fastening devices especially adapted for usein attaching strings to violins and other stringed instruments.

Briefly stated, an important object of this invention is to provide astring fastening device having novel means whereby the same may bereliably and securely connected to the tail piece of a violin or thelike without modificati on of the tail piece and Without the exercise ofunusual skill, the fastening device being equally adapted for use inanchoring the A and E strings which many musicians prefer to have ofmetal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a string fasteningdevice which is of highly simplified construction, neat in appearanceand cheap to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefOllOWiIlg description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part ofthis application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a perspective of the improved string fastening deviceapplied,

Figure 2 is a perspective of the improved string fastening devicedetached.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates a violinhaving the usual tail piece 6 provided with keyhole slots 7 by which thestrings may be anchored to the tail piece.

The invention forming the subject of this application is in the natureof a fastening device especially adapted for use in connection with theE and A strings, although it is conceivable that the invention may becarried out in connection with the other strings of the musicalinstrument, be it a violin, a cello or the like.

The improved fastening device comprises an elongated metallic body 9adapted to be extended through the appropriate keyhole slot 7 and havingthe lower terminal portion thereof bent at right angles to define aflange or abutment 10 extending entirely across the Serial No. 277,218.

body for flat engagement with the under side of the tail piece.

The upper or opposite terminal portion of the metallic body 9 isprovided with a longitudinal incision 12 defining more or less similarlyshaped partly severed portions, one of which remains upright for theattachment of the appropriate string, while the other is bent downwardlyto cooperate with the abutment 10 in firmly attaching the body to thetail piece.

Otherwise expressed, the upper terminal portion of the body 9 isprovided with a centrally extending longitudinal incision opening outthrough the upper end thereof to define an anchoring member 14 and afastening lug 16, the fastening lug being adapted to cooperate with theabutment 10 in firmly embracing the adjacent portion of the tail pieceand to hold the device in place.

It will be seen by reference to Figure 2 that the rear longitudinal edgeof the a11- choring member 14 is provided with vertically spaced notches18, with which a violin string is' selectively engaged. In furtheralluding to this feature it is pointed out that the employment of twoseparate notches makes the device equally adaptable to the A and Estring positions. The tail piece is thicker at the A string position andthe lowernotch 18 would be below the surface of the tail piece. Thus,when the device is applied to the A string position the upper notch willbe employed. When the improved fastening device is applied to the Estring position the anchoring member 14 will extend a greater distancebetween the tail piece and the lower notch may be employed.

lVith reference to the foregoing it is believed to be apparent that theimproved string fastening device is manufactured in the L-shapedformation suggested in full lines in Figure 2 and that the uprightportion of the same may be easily inserted through the appropriatekeyhole slot, after which the lug 16 may be bent down into pressureengagement with the tail piece to cooperate with the abutment 10 inholding the device in place. Of course, the body of the 100 device ismore or less snugly received in the restricted portion of the keyholeslot so that the side walls of the slot are caused to inhibit turning ofthe device under string tension.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a string fastening device for violins, a body adapted to beextended through a violin tail piece and having one end portion extendedangularly to define an abutment adapted to engage the under side of thetail piece, the other end portion of the body being provided with alongitudinal incision extending out through the upper end thereof anddefining a string anchoring member and a lug, the said lug being adaptedto be piece,'a body formed from flat metal and having one end portionextended angularly to define an abutment, the other end portion of thebody being provided with an incision defining a string-anchoring memberand a lug, said lug and said abutment being adapted for pressureengagement with opposite sides of the tail piece to hold the body inplace, said string anchorin member being extended above the lug anformed with a string receiving notch.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

- FRANKJ. CALLIER.

bent into pressure engagement with the upper side of the tail piece tocooperate with said abutment in anchoring the body in place.

2. .In a string fastening device for violins, a body adapted to beextended through a violin tail piece and having one end portion extendedangularly' to define an abutment adapted to engage the under side of thetail piece, the other end portion of the body being provided with alongitudinal incision extending out through the upper end thereof anddefining a string anchoring member and alug, the said lug being adaptedto be bent into pressure engagement with the upper side of the tailpiece to cooperate with said abutment in anchoring the body in place,said string anchoring member being provided in the rear edge thereofwith a notch for engagement by a. violin string.

3. In a string fastening device for violins, a body adapted to beextended through a violin tailpiece and having one end portion extended,angularly to define an abutment adapted to engage the under side of thetail piece, the other end portion of the body being provided with alongitudinal. incision extending out through the upper end thereof anddefining a string anchoring member and a lug, the said lug being adaptedto be bent into pressure engagement with the upper side of the tailpiece to cooperate with said abutment in anchoring the body in place,said string anchoring member being provided with notches adapted to beselectively engaged by a string.

4. In a string fastening device for a stringed musical instrument havinga tail piece, a body formed from flat metal and having one end portionextended angularly to define an abutment, the other end portion of thebody being provided with an incision defining a string anchoring memberand a lug, said lug and said abutment being adapted for pressureengagement with opposite sides of the tail piece to hold the body inplace. i )5. In 'a string fastening device for a stringedmusicalinstrument having a tail

